Obstetrics & Gynecology · Public Health · 1 h ago
Survey finds limited microplastics awareness among pregnant women in South India
A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 600 pregnant women attending a tertiary care centre in South India found low awareness of microplastics and limited self-reported preventive behaviours. Awareness was higher among participants with more education; the study did not assess actual exposure or maternal and fetal health outcomes.
- 81% had not heard the term microplastics.
- 16% correctly identified microplastics as particles under 5 mm.
- Greater education was associated with higher awareness.
- The survey did not measure exposure or health outcomes.
Researchers surveyed 600 pregnant women at a tertiary care centre in South India from January to May 2025 using a structured questionnaire on microplastic knowledge, perceived risks and self-reported preventive practices. They used descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to assess associations between education and awareness.
Overall, 486 women (81%) said they were unfamiliar with the term “microplastics,” and 96 (16%) correctly identified them as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm. Awareness that microplastics may occur in drinking water and seafood was reported by 28.7% and 27.3%, respectively. Only 2.2% knew of detection in the placenta and 1.3% in breast milk. Although 38% expressed concern, reported preventive behaviours were limited. Higher educational attainment was associated with greater awareness (p=0.001).
The authors suggest culturally appropriate education in antenatal care as a possible way to address knowledge gaps. However, this single-centre, cross-sectional survey relied on self-report and measured neither exposure nor health outcomes. It therefore cannot establish whether education or reported behaviours change exposure or affect maternal or fetal health.
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BMC Public Health: Gaps in knowledge and awareness of microplastic exposure among pregnant women in South India: implications for maternal and fetal health ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.